Springfield schools, teachers' union reach deal

The Springfield Local Schools and its teachers’ union reached a tentative agreement late today on a new contract, averting a possible strike.

School officials and representatives of the Springfield Education Association met for nearly five hours before arriving at a settlement about 9 p.m., said Kathryn Hott, superintendent of schools.

It was the first negotiating session since union members voted unanimously Monday to allow their representatives to serve the district with a 10-day strike notice.

Ms. Hott did not provide details of the settlement pending a ratification vote expected next week by the teachers’ union.

“We’ve worked very hard, both sides, with trying to get to this point,” Ms. Hott said. “It took us some time, but I don’t think that’s a surprise under the economic conditions. Teachers did their part to get this settled, and we did our part, and everyone is very happy about it.”

The teachers’ last contract expired June 30, 2011. Federal mediation failed to resolve contract issues. Teachers ratified an arbitrator’s fact-finding report in April, including a two-year pay freeze, but it was rejected by the Board of Education.